This page quotes FMCSA's public pages and the regulations. It can't see your record, and we aren't FMCSA. Only FMCSA can change your status.
Check the right system first
FMCSA's FAQ, in full: "As of May 14, 2026, Licensing and Insurance -L&I is currently available only for reviewing historical motor carrier records. Motus filings are not currently reflected in the Licensing and Insurance -L&I system." (FMCSA, updated May 21, 2026).
FMCSA's Get Operating Authority page still tells you to check L&I's "Authority History" (FMCSA, updated Apr 20, 2026). That advice predates Motus. For anything filed after May 14, use the public search inside Motus: "Search by USDOT Number, legal name, or DBA to see the registration record." (FMCSA). The daily decision letters page has the same cutoff: "This page is designed to ONLY retrieve historical data (between September 27, 2022 to May 15, 2026)" (FMCSA).
A paper certificate doesn't settle it either way. "Hard copies of certificates do not represent an active authority to engage in operations." (FMCSA registration alerts, updated Oct 12, 2026)
What each status means
These are the operating authority statuses FMCSA defines for the SAFER Company Snapshot (FMCSA FAQ). Motus shows statuses on a dashboard page for each registration (91 FR 23144 (Apr. 29, 2026)).
| Status | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| AUTHORIZED FOR Property | Your for-hire authority is granted and in force. You can haul interstate for pay. | Nothing, as long as insurance and the BOC-3 stay on file. |
| NOT AUTHORIZED | FMCSA's definition: "The entity does not have any operating authority and/or is not authorized to engage in interstate, for-hire operations." | If you applied after May 14, 2026, look in Motus before you panic. If Motus shows the same, work through the checks below. |
| OUT-OF-SERVICE | FMCSA's definition: "Carrier is under any type of out-of-service order and is not authorized to operate." | Call FMCSA and ask which order applies and what it needs from you. |
My authority never went active
A new grant only takes effect once the 10-day protest period passes with no objection and your filings are in: "If no one opposes the application, the grant published in the FMCSA Register will become effective by issuance of a certificate, permit, or license." (49 CFR 365.115(b)). The timeline is on the MC number waiting period. When it stalls, these are the causes FMCSA's own pages name:
- Insurance not filed. Your insurer files the BMC-91 or 91X; you can't. "Carriers and other regulated entities should NOT submit insurance certificates directly to FMCSA." (FMCSA). If it's late: "If the entity fails to comply within 20 days from the date of publication in the FMCSA Register, an FMCSA decision will be served notifying the entity that their application will be dismissed unless they comply with the requirements within 60 days." (FMCSA, Insurance Filing Requirements, updated Mar 26, 2026). Ask the insurer for the date it filed and the policy number it used.
- BOC-3 not filed. Same 20-day window: "Applicants also must submit Form BOC-3—designation of legal process agents—within 20 days from the date an application notice is published in the FMCSA Register." (49 CFR 365.109T(a)(6)). Ask your process agent company to confirm the filing date.
- Name or address doesn't match. FMCSA asks that the business name and address on your state filings match the authority application exactly. "Any deviation results in the delay of granting of the authority." (FMCSA) Check the spelling, the LLC or Inc., and the suite number on the insurance filing too.
- Further review. FMCSA says new applications "may take 20-25 business days, unless they are subject to further review by the agency, in which case it could take an additional 8 weeks or longer" (FMCSA). A long wait with all filings in place can be this. Open one ticket and follow up on it.
Filings lost in the May 2026 switchover can be fixed with a back date: "When Motus launches, you will be able to update filings, including back dating insurance using the “effective date” field." (FMCSA Motus FAQ, updated May 22, 2026). Your insurer makes that entry, not you.
My authority was active and went inactive
Insurance is the usual reason. FMCSA's notice on Motus says: "If the registrant fails to maintain evidence of the required level of insurance coverage on file with FMCSA, its operating authority will be revoked or suspended involuntarily." (91 FR 23144 (Apr. 29, 2026)). An insurer can't drop the filing without warning: coverage on file "surety bonds, certificates of insurance and other securities or agreements shall not be cancelled or withdrawn until 30 days after written notice has been submitted to the FMCSA" on Form BMC-35 (49 CFR 387.313T(d)). So a revocation for insurance should come at least 30 days after a cancellation notice reached FMCSA; ask your insurer whether one was filed and why.
The same applies to process agents: "Once operating authority is granted, entities are required to maintain proof of insurance and designation of agents for process on file with FMCSA to avoid revocation proceedings." (FMCSA). If your BOC-3 filing is withdrawn, the authority is exposed in the same way, so ask your process agent company whether it is still on file.
To get it back, put new coverage on file and apply for reinstatement in Motus. FMCSA lists reinstatement among the Motus actions: "Apply for a reinstatement of an operating authority previously held and reactivate their USDOT Number." (91 FR 23144 (Apr. 29, 2026)). The fee is $80 (49 CFR 360.3T(f)(52); also on FMCSA's fee list). Don't haul for-hire until Motus shows the authority active again.
A USDOT number marked inactive is a different thing from revoked authority. FMCSA has stopped inactivating USDOT numbers over missed biennial updates for now; see the MCS-150 section below.
Motus and Login.gov login problems
Motus has no separate password. "Any individual, business, insurance or financial institution, blanket company (BOC-3 filer), transportation service provider, or authorized agent using the new system will need Login.gov account credentials to access the system." (FMCSA Motus FAQ). The old USDOT PIN is gone too: "Registrants will be required to access the new registration system through Login.gov, removing the need for USDOT PINs."
- Can't sign in at all. Login.gov runs its own help center for forgotten passwords and lost phones: trouble signing in, lost phone or personal key, and Login.gov system status. FMCSA notes that "only one Login.gov account is required", so use the one you already have rather than making a second.
- Identity check fails. "If you have issues completing identity verification, you can reach out to the FMCSA Contact Center at 1-800-832-5660 and may be referred to a designated physical location to complete the process." (FMCSA)
- Signed in, but can't claim your USDOT number. FMCSA has posted about one cause, signing up under the wrong role: "If you are a carrier and your email address was inadvertently registered for the Transportation Service Provider role in Motus, you can close the TSP account" from the gear icon on that account page. If "Link a USDOT Number" stays greyed out after that, FMCSA asks for a ticket with your USDOT number, the company official's name and Login.gov email, and proof of ownership such as an IRS letter or articles of incorporation (FMCSA registration alerts).
- Someone else claimed your company. Call FMCSA rather than opening a new account. FMCSA's notice on Motus describes account hijacking and fake registrations as the fraud the new identity checks target (91 FR 23144 (Apr. 29, 2026)).
The MCS-150 update won't save
FMCSA has paused the penalty for this while Motus settles. "FMCSA has temporarily suspended enforcement of biennial updates and the inactivation of USDOT Numbers for entities that have not completed the required biennial update." "Registrants whose biennial update was due on or after June 1, 2026 will receive additional time to complete any required biennial updates and will not have their USDOT Number inactivated for failing to submit a biennial update." (FMCSA, updated Sep 10, 2026)
FMCSA hasn't said the 2026 update is waived; the page says registrants "will receive additional time". If the form won't save, report it with a ticket and keep a screenshot of the error with the date. "Make sure you don't duplicate tickets on the same cases you open. Just follow up on them." (FMCSA) Your due month and the rule: MCS-150 due date by USDOT number.
Who to contact at FMCSA
| Route | Where | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1-800-832-5660 | FMCSA Registration Customer Service. Hours: "8:00 AM – 11:00 PM EST, weekdays, plus Saturdays" |
| Ticket | ask.fmcsa.dot.gov | FMCSA's own route for reporting a Motus problem. Keep the ticket number |
| Chat | Live chat | Same contact center as the phone line |
| Alerts | Registration alerts | FMCSA posts Motus fixes here |
Sources: FMCSA, Temporary Suspension of the Biennial Update Requirement (updated Sep 10, 2026); AskFMCSA. FMCSA's main number also appears in the regulations (49 CFR 365.205(d)). FMCSA's contact page lists shorter hours on Saturdays than on weekdays. FMCSA keeps a list of current registration scams on its fraud alerts page.
Questions
Why is my authority not showing active?
The causes FMCSA names: the insurance filing or the BOC-3 hasn't reached FMCSA, the name or address doesn't match the application, or the application is under further review. Check the right system too: since May 14, 2026, the L&I site shows only historical records, so look your USDOT number up in Motus.
What is the FMCSA Motus phone number?
FMCSA's registration line, 1-800-832-5660, open 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern on weekdays, with Saturday hours too.
Can my insurer back-date a filing lost in the Motus switch?
Yes. FMCSA's Motus FAQ says filings can be updated in Motus, including back-dating insurance with the effective-date field. Your insurer makes that entry.
Not legal advice. Not affiliated with FMCSA or Login.gov.